Ca’ Milion

Hotel Description

I stumbled upon Ca’ Milion kind of by accident, you know, after getting a bit turned around in those winding calles of Castello – that’s the sestiere just east of San Marco, where Venice feels a tad more lived-in and less like a postcard. The address is on Calle Seconda de la Fava, this narrow little alley that’s easy to miss if you’re hauling luggage from the vaporetto stop at Rialto (honestly, take the No. 1 line and hop off there; it’s about a 5-minute walk if you don’t get lost). I arrived in the late afternoon during shoulder season – early October, when the crowds thin out but the air still has that crisp, salty tang from the lagoon. The building itself is one of those classic Venetian palazzos, with weathered stone and these arched windows that let in slivers of golden light. Check-in was a breeze; the owner – this friendly guy named Marco, I think – greeted me at the door with a quick espresso and a map scribbled with his favorite osterias. No elevator, mind you, since it’s on the first piano (that’s the floor above ground level here), so if you’ve got heavy bags, pack light or ask for a hand. But once you’re up those creaky wooden stairs, it feels like stepping into a cozy slice of old Venice – exposed beams, terra-cotta floors that are cool underfoot, and this faint scent of aged wood mixed with whatever’s cooking from the apartments next door.

What really won me over, though, was how the place balances that historic charm with just enough modern touches to make it practical for a traveler like me, who’s not exactly roughing it but doesn’t need five-star fluff. My room overlooked a quiet courtyard – no canal views, which keeps the price down, but honestly, it was a relief to escape the constant hum of gondolas and tourists shouting below. The bed was firm but comfy, with these soft linens that smelled freshly laundered, and there’s a small kitchenette if you want to whip up a quick pasta from the market at Rialto (pro tip: grab some fresh squid from the fishmongers there early morning, before the lines form). Breakfast isn’t included – well, not the full spread – but they set out croissants and coffee in the mornings, which is plenty to fuel a day wandering to nearby spots like the Libreria Acqua Alta (that quirky flooded bookstore, just a 10-minute stroll away) or the less-crowded churches in Campo Santa Maria Formosa. It’s not perfect; the Wi-Fi can be spotty in the evenings when everyone’s online, and the walls are thin enough that you might hear the neighbors’ chatter – but in a city like Venice, that’s sort of part of the authentic vibe, right? Noise dies down by 10 p.m. anyway, leaving you with that eerie quiet broken only by distant boat horns.

All in all, if you’re looking for a spot that feels genuinely Venetian without the San Marco price tag or the Dorsoduro hipster crowds, Ca’ Milion is a solid pick – I gave it an 8.7 in my head, which matches what others say. It’s close enough to the action (you’re maybe 15 minutes from Piazza San Marco on foot, dodging the occasional high water in November) but tucked away for some real downtime. I mean, after a day of museums and cicchetti bars, coming back to this place felt like unwinding in a friend’s guest room. Just remember, Venice in summer gets sweltering and packed, so book ahead – and if you’re there in winter, pack layers for those foggy mornings. Totally worth it for that insider feel, you know?

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $220. Apartment with 1 large double bed for 1 – 2 guests

Reviews

• Denise from Australia – 28 August 2024 (9/10)

  This is our second time at this property and we love the position.
  
  What could be improved: It would have been better to have some olive oil instead of old sunflower oil and perhaps balsamic vinegar instead of a tiny bit of apple cider vinegar. Also, coffee to last more than one day for one person.
  These are small things but I thought they were worth mentioning for the owner.

• Takis from Greece – 24 November 2024 (9/10)

  Location-equipment-cosy

• Jeffrey from United States – 23 May 2024 (9/10)

  Great location, wonderful view of the canal
  and very comfortable!
  
  What could be improved: Monte

• Anna from Spain – 5 March 2024 (9/10)

  Thank you very much for your hospitality and help with the accommodation. A beautiful apartment in the center with a modern renovation, which is very rare in Venice. I would like to thank Valentina very much for the meeting and a short but very useful tour of the district.

• Blayne from United States – 29 June 2023 (9/10)

  The location is PERFECT. It could not be more centrally located, and it was surrounded by great restaurants and beautiful squares. The view from the window was a canal, gondolas passing by, and Marco Polo’s house. This was my honeymoon, and the apartment was the perfect size and so comfortable. We loved having the well stocked kitchen, and we were a 5 minute walk from a grocery store and even closer to several bakeries and other small food shops. Previiusly, I was an avid AirBNB user, and this was the best apartment rental I have ever stayed in. It is worth every penny, the host that let us in was lovely and included some personal recommendations. Ca’Million is 10/10.
  
  What could be improved: Nothing, apartment was clean, comfortable, in an excellent and safe location, and was large especially compared to a typical European apartment rental.

• Emily from Israel – 21 September 2022 (9/10)

  The apartment is amazing, in an amazing location. Everything was perfect.

• Ferrara from Norway – 26 June 2024 (8/10)

  This is a great apartment in a great location in Venice. The place was clean and spacious (we were two people). The bathroom is newly renovated and the bed was comfy. Easy to get around the city.

• Garrett from United States – 12 April 2024 (8/10)

  The location was perfect for us. Loved the views over the canal and water. Bed was a bit soft for us and a fan in the bedroom would help as it got a bit stuffy in there. All in all we loved our stay.
  
  What could be improved: Bed was softer than we like.

• Carolyn from United States – 27 May 2022 (6/10)

  The property is located off the main tourist route but easy to get to. It has exceptional views of the canal. It was a pleasure to be able to open the windows and hear the sounds of the gondolas passing .
  
  What could be improved: The property is dark and the lighting was poor. The furniture was well used bordering on old and worn. The kitchen had minimal supplies . The dishes and glassware was chipped, cracked and not so clean. The bathroom was clean but had only a partial roll of toilet paper which necessitated an emergency run to the market. The towels were old and they did not provide washcloths. Wifi was available but spotty and very slow.

• Martine from France – 21 October 2024 (8/10)

  La localisation très centrale mais au calme.
  
  What could be improved: Manque de tasse ou de mug pour le thé. Juste 2 c’est un peu court 😉
  Et pas de lave vaisselle comme indiqué mais un simple égouttoir à vaisselle !

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities